Take 2: CAST Headed To Dominican Republic

Dec 24, 2014

Worcester, Mass. – For the second
straight winter break Clark University has partnered with a service
organization to send a contingent of student-athletes on an
international service learning trip. Known as CAST (Clark Athletics
Service Trip), 11 student-athletes along with an advisor and
representatives from Service For Peace will travel to El Cidral,
Dominican Republic on January 2.

“I am thrilled that the Clark Athletics Service-Learning
Trip (CAST) is happening again,” said Pharr, who was a part
of the first trip in 2014 that helped teach sports to the children
of Loma Linda, Guatemala. “This will be a life-changing and
eye-opening experience for all of the student-athletes.”

The group will spend nine days working with community members to
finish building a schoolroom in El Cidral.

El Cidral is a peaceful and unified community located in a
valley nestled in the mountains of Villa Altagracia County within
the province of San Cristobal, just 45 minutes northwest of the
capital city limits of Santo Domingo.

The town is comprised of four smaller communities of hamlets: La
Represa, El Cidral, Barrio Chino and Cambustera. Together, the four
communities that form El Cidral are very much focused on the
welfare and education of their children, and thus focus many of
their development initiatives on the elementary school.

Most residents are employed seasonally in agriculture and a high
percentage rely on remittances from family members abroad. El
Cidral has big plans for the future, and has a vision for its
community as a regional center for social services, wellbeing, and
community empowerment.

Service For Peace involves volunteers in ongoing community
development programs throughout the world. Their programs are
designed to further the growth and development of individuals and
communities through the shared experience of voluntary service.

“One of our Service For Peace objectives is to foster
social entrepreneurs and leaders that will find solutions to needs
being faced by communities across the globe,” said Joan
Mateo, the Executive Director for Service For Peace.

They work to bring lasting, substantial change to a community
while also developing the capacity of all participants to be agents
of positive change throughout their lives. They have two central
themes: community development and personal development.

“This is such a wonderful opportunity that Clark has given
to its student-athletes,” said Pharr, “and I am sure it
will impact our lives in more ways than we can imagine.”